Dental flossing pick

ABSTRACT

A dental flossing pick includes a body, a lever, and at least one torsion spring. The body may include a first arm and a first jaw, and the lever may include a second arm and a second jaw. The lever may be rotatably coupled to the body, and the at least one torsion spring may be coupled to the body and the lever. The first arm and the second arm may be rotatable toward one another, against a resistance force of the at least one torsion spring, from an open state to a closed state to form a handle. In the closed state, the first jaw and the second jaw may be clamped to one another to form a fork distal to the handle. The fork may include a first prong and a second prong defining therebetween a gap in which a length of dental floss material may be secured.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/474,801, filed on Sep. 14, 2021, which claims the benefit of priorityof U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/078,172, filed on Sep. 14,2020, with the entire contents of each of these applicationsincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

To maintain good oral health, it is recommended that teeth are not onlybrushed but also flossed using dental floss. Dental floss materialtypically comes in a string form and is generally dispensed from abobbin contained within a dispenser housing. A cutting device is used tocut a desired length of the string of the dental floss material. A usercan then use the cut length of floss string to insert it between theteeth for flossing. However, manually holding dental floss material tautduring flossing can be difficult for some users, such as users withteeth spaces that are difficult to reach.

Other variations of dental floss appliances include pre-fabricated pickshaving a short piece of dental floss material spanning across twosupports. These picks generally come in packs and are single use items.That is, once used, the entire pick and used dental floss material arediscarded.

There is a need to provide a more efficient and effective way of holdingand using of dental floss material to floss teeth.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect, a dental flossing pick may include a bodyincluding a first arm and a first jaw, a lever including a second armand a second jaw, the lever rotatably coupled to the body, and at leastone torsion spring coupled to the body and the lever, the first arm andthe second arm rotatable toward one another, against a resistance forceof the at least one torsion spring, from an open state to a closed stateto form a handle, and, in the closed state, the first jaw and the secondjaw clamped to one another, collectively forming a fork distal to thehandle, and, the fork including a first prong and a second prongdefining therebetween a gap along which a length of dental flossmaterial supportable in tension.

In some implementations, the first arm of the body may define alongitudinal axis, and the lever may be rotatable relative to the bodyabout a rotational axis skew to the longitudinal axis.

In certain implementations, the first arm of the body may extendproximal to the second arm of the lever when the body and the levercollectively forming the handle.

In some implementations, the first arm of the body may define a recess,and the second arm of the lever is releasably securable in the recess inthe closed state in which the first arm of the body and the second armof the lever form the handle. For example, releasable securement of thesecond arm of the lever in the recess of the body may resist rotation ofthe lever and the body relative to one another under force of the atleast one torsion spring. As an example, the dental flossing pick mayfurther include a locking mechanism carried along the body, wherein thelocking mechanism includes a linear spring and a pin, the linear springand the pin are supported along the first arm of the body, the linearspring biases the pin into the recess defined by the first arm of thebody, and the second arm of the lever defines at least one notchreleasably engageable with the pin in the recess. Further, or instead,the first arm of the body may include an actuator in mechanicalcommunication with the pin, and the actuator may be depressible toretract the pin, against the bias of the linear spring, from the atleast one notch of the second arm of the lever to release resistance torotational movement between the lever and the body such that the firstarm and the second arm move from the closed state to the open state inwhich the first jaw and the second jaw are unclamped from one another.As an example, the actuator may be along a portion of the first armproximal to the second arm of the lever such that the lever is rotatableaway from the actuator in response to depression of the actuator.

In certain implementations, the first jaw and the second jaw may includerespective traction features interlocking one another with the first jawand the second jaw clamped to one another in the closed state.

According to another aspect, a dental hygiene system may include adental flossing pick including a handle and a fork coupled to oneanother, the fork including a first prong and a second prong, and thefork actuatable to clamp a length of dental floss material in tension ina gap defined by the first prong and the second prong, and a caseincluding a base, a panel, and a dispenser, the panel releasablysecurable to the base, the panel having a first surface supporting thedispenser, the dispenser including a wall extending away from the firstsurface, the base defining a cavity extending in a direction oppositethe wall of the dispenser, and the dental flossing pick storable alongthe base with the fork in the cavity and the handle supported on thewall of the dispenser.

In some implementations, the wall of the dispenser defines a dispensingvolume, and the handle of the dental flossing pick is supportable on thewall of the dispenser to cover the dispensing volume. The dispenser may,for example, further include a cutting element. The wall may define aslit, and the cutting element may be supported on the wall adjacent tothe slit. As an example, the base may define a compartment, and thepanel is releasably securable to the base over the compartment. Thepanel may include, for example, a button section along the firstsurface, the button section is disposed between the cavity and thedispenser, and the button section is depressible to release the panelfrom the base to expose the compartment. Further, or instead, the panelmay have a second surface opposite the first surface, the panel isreleasably securable over the compartment with the second surface facingthe compartment, and the panel and the wall of the dispensercollectively define an orifice extending from the second surface of thepanel to the dispensing volume. A linear distance between the orificeand the cutting element may be greater than a distance between the firstprong and the second prong of the flossing pick. The dental hygienesystem may further include a cartridge including a container, a bobbinof dental floss material, and a lid, wherein the container includes arim, the lid is disposed on the rim of the container such that thecontainer and the lid collectively envelop the bobbin of dental flossmaterial, the container defines a hole away from the lid, an end of thebobbin of dental floss material extends through the hole, and thecartridge is positionable in the compartment defined by the base, andthe end of the bobbin of dental floss material is extendible from thecompartment to the dispensing volume via the orifice. The cartridge mayfurther include a covering adhered to the bobbin of dental flossmaterial and extending circumferentially about the bobbin of dentalfloss material.

In certain implementations, a portion of the wall closest to the cavityincludes a lip having a shape conforming to a contour of the handle ofthe dental flossing pick.

In some implementations, the case may further include a coverpositionable over the flossing pick stored on the base.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a dental hygiene system including adental flossing pick and a case, the dental flossing pick shownpositioned in the case and the case is shown in an open position.

FIG. 1B is a side view of the dental hygiene system of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C is a perspective view of the dental hygiene system of FIG. 1A,shown with the case in a closed position about the dental flossing pick.

FIG. 2A is a top perspective view of the dental flossing pick of FIG.1A, with the dental flossing pick shown in an open state.

FIG. 2B is a bottom perspective view of the dental flossing pick of FIG.1A, with the dental flossing pick shown in the open state.

FIG. 2C is a side view of the dental flossing pick of FIG. 1A, with thedental flossing pick shown in the open state.

FIG. 2D is a top view of the dental flossing pick of FIG. 1A, with thedental flossing pick shown in the closed state.

FIG. 2E is a front perspective view of the dental flossing pick of FIG.1A, with the dental flossing pick shown in the closed state.

FIG. 2F is a rear perspective view of the dental flossing pick of FIG.1A, with the dental flossing pick shown in the closed state.

FIG. 2G is a side view of the dental flossing pick of FIG. 1A, shownwith a bar, a lever, and a spring exploded relative to one another.

FIG. 2H is a front perspective view of the exploded representation ofthe dental flossing pick shown in FIG. 2G.

FIG. 2I is a front perspective view of the dental flossing pick of FIG.1A, shown with the bar exploded.

FIG. 2J is a side view of the exploded representation of the dentalflossing pick shown in FIG. 2I.

FIG. 3A is a front perspective view of the case of FIG. 1A, with thecase shown in the open position and a dispenser of the case shown with adental floss material extending across a dispensing volume.

FIG. 3B is a rear perspective view of the case of FIG. 1A, with the caseshown in the open position.

FIG. 3C is a top view of the case of FIG. 1A, shown with the case in theopen position.

FIG. 3D is a rear view of the case of FIG. 1A, shown with the case inthe open position.

FIG. 3E is a rear perspective view of the case of FIG. 1A, shown withthe case in the open position.

FIG. 3F is an exploded perspective view of the case of FIG. 1A, shownwith the case in the open position and shown with a cartridge of dentalfloss material.

FIG. 3G is a perspective view of a cutting element of the case of FIG.1A.

FIG. 4A is a bottom view of the cartridge of FIG. 3F.

FIG. 4B is a bottom perspective view of the cartridge of FIG. 3F.

FIG. 4C is a perspective view of the cartridge shown with a lid, abobbin of dental floss material, a container, and a covering shownexploded relative to one another.

FIG. 4D is a perspective view of the exploded representation of thecartridge shown in FIG. 4C, with the covering shown disposed about thebobbin of dental floss material.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with referenceto the accompanying figures, in which exemplary embodiments are shown.The foregoing may, however, be embodied in many different forms andshould not be construed as limited to the exemplary embodiments setforth herein.

All documents mentioned herein are hereby incorporated by reference intheir entirety. References to items in the singular should be understoodto include items in the plural, and vice versa, unless explicitly statedotherwise or clear from the text. Grammatical conjunctions are intendedto express any and all disjunctive and conjunctive combinations ofconjoined clauses, sentences, words, and the like, unless otherwisestated or clear from the context. Thus, the term “or” should generallybe understood to mean “and/or,” and the term “and” should generally beunderstood to mean “and/or.”

Recitation of ranges of values herein are not intended to be limiting,referring instead individually to any and all values falling within therange, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value withinsuch a range is incorporated into the specification as if it wereindividually recited herein. The words “about,” “approximately,” or thelike, when accompanying a numerical value, are to be construed asincluding any deviation as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skillin the art to operate satisfactorily for an intended purpose. Ranges ofvalues and/or numeric values are provided herein as examples only, anddo not constitute a limitation on the scope of the describedembodiments. The use of any and all examples or exemplary language(“e.g.,” “such as,” or the like) is intended merely to elaborate uponthe embodiments and does not pose a limitation on the scope of thoseembodiments. No language in the specification should be construed asindicating any unclaimed element as essential to the practice of thedisclosed embodiments.

As used herein, the terms “distal” and “proximal” shall be understood torefer to relative orientation of components of a dental flossing pickwith reference to an end user (e.g., a person) whose teeth are flossedusing the dental flossing pick. Specifically, unless otherwise specifiedor made clear from the context, a component that is distal to anothercomponent shall be understood to be closer to the teeth of the end userwhen the dental flossing pick is used in a flossing procedure. Further,unless otherwise specified or made clear from the context, a componentthat is proximal to another component shall be understood to be fartheraway from the teeth of the end user when the dental flossing pick isused in a flossing procedure. Thus, as a specific example, a handle of adental flossing pick shall be understood to be proximal to a fork of thegiven dental flossing pick. As a corollary, a fork of a dental flossingpick shall be understood to be distal to the handle of the given dentalflossing pick.

Referring now to FIGS. 1A-1C, a dental hygiene system 100 may include adental flossing pick 200 and a case 300. As described in greater detailbelow, the dental flossing pick 200 may be actuatable between an openstate and a closed state to facilitate selectively grasping andreleasing a length of dental floss material. In the closed state, thedental flossing pick 200 may include a handle 202 and a fork 204 coupledto one another, and a length of dental floss material may be held intension between a first prong 206 and a second prong 208 of the fork204. Further, or instead, the case 300 may store the dental flossingpick 200 with the dental flossing pick 200 in the closed state. Forexample, the case 300 may include a base 302, a panel 304, and adispenser 306. The base 302 may define a cavity 305 in which the fork204 of the dental flossing pick 200 may be positioned while the handle202 of the dental flossing pick 200 is supported on a wall 308 of thedispenser 306 supported on the panel 304. With the dental flossing pick200 so positioned along the base 302, the case 300 may provide sanitarystorage for the dental flossing pick 200 and additionally, oralternatively, may facilitate transporting the dental flossing pick 200.As an example, the case 300 may include a cover 310 securable to thebase 302 to envelope the dental flossing pick 200 within the case 300.

In use, as also described in greater detail below, the dental flossingpick 200 may be removed from the case 300, and a user may actuate thedental flossing pick 200 from an open state to a closed state to clampan unused length of dental floss material such that the dental flossingpick 200 may be reused many times, thus reducing waste compared tosingle-use picks preloaded with dental floss material. For example, thedental flossing pick 200 may be spring-loaded according to any one ormore of various techniques, described in greater detail below, tofacilitate operating the dental flossing pick 200 to grasp the dentalfloss material reliably and with significant force to hold the dentalfloss material taut as the dental floss material is passed throughspaces in the user's teeth. As also described in greater detail below,the case 300 may be reloadable with dental floss material to facilitatemaking the dental floss material conveniently available to a user beforeeach use of the dental flossing pick 200, such as may be particularlyuseful for portability during travel or daily carrying.

Referring now to FIG. 1A and FIGS. 2A-2J, the dental flossing pick 200may include a body 210 and a lever 212. The body 210 may include a firstarm 216 and a first jaw 218, and the lever 212 may include a second arm220 and a second jaw 222. As described in greater detail below, the body210 and the lever 212 may be rotatably coupled to one another along arotational axis R skew to a longitudinal axis L defined by the first arm216 of the body 210 such that the fork 204 may be disposed at an obliqueangle relative to the handle 202 to facilitate achieving properorientation and reach of the dental flossing pick 200 in a user's mouth.In general, the rotational axis R may be between the first arm 216 andthe first jaw 218 and, similarly, between the second arm 220 and thesecond jaw 222.

In general, rotation of the first arm 216 and the second arm 220relative to one another about the rotational axis R moves the first jaw218 and the second jaw 222 between an open state and a closed state. Asused herein, it shall be understood that the state of the dentalflossing pick 200 refers to the position of the first jaw 218 of thebody and the second jaw 222 of the lever 212 relative to one another.For example, unless otherwise specified or made clear from the context,reference to an “open state” shall be understood to refer to any one ormore of various positions of the first jaw 218 of the body 210 spacedapart from the second jaw 222 of the lever 212 such that a dental flossmaterial may be removed from and/or introduced into spacing between thefirst jaw 218 and the second jaw 222. As another example, unlessotherwise specified or made clear from the context, reference to a“closed state” shall be understood to refer to a position in which thefirst jaw 218 of the body 210 and the second jaw 222 of the lever 212are in contact with one another. Thus, a length of dental floss materialmay be positioned between the first jaw 218 and the second jaw 222 inthe open state, and the first arm 216 of the body 210 and the second arm220 of the lever 212 may be pressed toward one another such that theresulting rotational motion of the body 210 and the lever 212 clamps thelength of dental floss material between the first jaw 218 and the secondjaw 222.

In certain implementations, rotation of the first arm 216 and the secondarm 220 relative to one another about the rotational axis mayadvantageously change a form factor of the dental flossing pick 200. Forexample, in the closed state, the body 210 and the lever 212 maycollectively form the dental flossing pick 200 having a form factorincluding the handle 202 and the fork 204. More specifically, in theclosed state, the first arm 216 of the body 210 and the second arm 220of the lever 212 may collectively form the handle 202. Further, orinstead, in the closed state, the first jaw 218 of the body and thesecond jaw 222 of the lever 212 may collectively form the first prong206 and the second prong 208 of the fork 204 such that a length ofdental floss material clamped between the first jaw 218 and the secondjaw 222 may be held taut along a gap 224 defined by the first prong 206and the second prong 208. Stated differently, rotation of the body 210and the lever 212 relative to one another from the open state to theclosed state produces a clamping force on a length of dental flossmaterial while advantageously also forming the dental flossing pick 200into a form factor — one with the fork 204 coupled and distal to thehandle 202 — usable for flossing. For example, by partially insertingthe dental flossing pick 200 into the user's mouth with one of the firstprong 206 or the second prong 208 on the facial side of the user's teethand the other one of the first prong 206 or the second prong 208 on thelingual side of the user's teeth the length of dental floss materialheld taut along the gap 224 between the first prong 206 and the secondprong 208 may be passed between two individual teeth of the user tocarry out a dental flossing process. When flossing process is completed,the body 210 and the lever 212 may be rotated away from one another tomove the first jaw 218 and the second jaw 222 from the closed state tothe open state to allow the used length of dental floss material to bereplaced for a subsequent flossing process.

In general, the body 210 and the lever 212 may be rotatable relative toone another about the rotational axis R via any one or more of variousdifferent hinge arrangements useful for providing reliable rotationalmovement in both directions, over multiple uses, and in the presence ofmoisture (e.g., saliva). For example, the body 210 may include one ormore rods 228, and the lever 212 may define one or more receptacles 230.Each instance of the one or more rods 228 may be positioned in arespective instance of the one or more receptacles 230 to rotatablycouple the body 210 to one another. That is each instance of the one ormore rods 228 may be rotatable in the respective instance of the one ormore receptacles 230 while being restricted with respect to other typesof motion. As may be appreciated, in this example, the rotational axis Rextends through the one or more rods 228. In some implementations,rotational motion of the body 210 and the lever 212 about the rotationalaxis R may be restricted by one or more features of the body 210 and thelever 212 interfering with one another to act as a stopper, restrictingrotational motion to within a predetermined range useful forfacilitating grasping a length of dental floss material.

In some instances, the dental flossing pick 200 may include at least onetorsion spring 226 coupled to the body 210 and the lever 212. The atleast one torsion spring 226 may, for example, resist rotation of the ofthe body 210 and the lever 212 relative to one another about therotational axis R. That is, the first arm 216 of the body 210 and thesecond arm 220 of the lever 212 may be rotatable toward one another,against a resistance force of the at least one torsion spring 226, froman open state to a closed state to form the handle 202. Stateddifferently, the at least one torsion spring 226 may bias the first jaw218 and the second jaw 222 away from one another, such as may be usefulfor reducing the likelihood of unintended pinching and, further orinstead, to reduce the amount of fine motor hand movements required toclamp a length of dental floss material between the first jaw 218 andthe second jaw 222. Further, or instead, the rotational spring biasprovided by the at least one torsion spring 226 may facilitateseparating the first arm 216 of the body 210 and the second arm 220 ofthe lever 212 from one another in a forceful manner when the first arm216 and the second arm 220 are locked together according to any one ormore of the various locking techniques described herein. Such forcefulseparation may be useful for, among other things, facilitatingseparation of the first arm 216 and the second arm 220 from one anotherwhen these are wet with saliva.

As an example, the at least one torsion spring 226 may be positionedabout the rotational axis R in an orientation resisting rotation of thebody 210 and the lever 212 about the rotational axis R to move the firstjaw 218 and the second jaw 222 from the open position to the closedposition. Thus, returning to the example of the body 210 and the lever212 rotationally coupled to one another through the one or more rods 228rotatable in the one or more receptacles 230, each instance of the atleast one torsion spring 226 may be disposed about an instance of theone or more rods 228 and in contact with the body 210 and the lever 212.

In general, the handle 202 collectively formed by the body 210 and thelever 212 in the closed state may have any one or more of variousdifferent form factors useful for facilitating grasping by a user. Forexample, the handle 202 may have a form factor that may be graspedbetween a thumb and a forefinger of a user. Further, to facilitatemoving the dental flossing pick 200 through a variety of positionsuseful for accommodating variations in teeth spacing, the form factor ofthe handle 202 may facilitate grasping in any one or more of variousdifferent orientations of the handle 202.

In some instances, the body 210 and the lever 212 may be flush with oneanother in the closed state to present the user with a form factor ofthe handle 202 that is substantially uniform along the longitudinal axisL, such as may be useful for facilitating grasping the handle 202 at anyone or more of various different longitudinal positions. As an example,the first arm 216 of the body 210 may define a recess 232, and the lever212 may be at least partially positionable in the recess 232 in theclosed state in which the first arm 216 of the body 210 and the secondarm 220 of the lever 212 form the handle 202. That is, the recess 232may be useful for decoupling aspects of the shape of the second arm 220of the lever from the overall shape and size of the handle 202 formedwhen the second arm 220 is at least partially disposed in the recess232. In some implementations, the recess 232 may have a depthcorresponding to a height of the second arm 220 such that the handle 202may have a substantially continuous surface when the second arm 220 ispositioned in the recess 232. In this context, a substantiallycontinuous surface shall be understood to allow for a seam between thefirst arm 216 and the second arm 220 when the second arm 220 ispositioned in the recess 232.

While the first arm 216 of the body 210 and the second arm 220 of thelever may have any one or more of various different relative lengths,the first arm 216 of the body 210 may advantageously extend proximal tothe second arm 220 of the lever 212 when the body 210 and the lever 212collectively form the handle 202 in some instances. For example, thefirst arm 216 of the body 210 extending proximal to the second arm 220of the lever 212 may facilitate supporting the first arm 216 with athumb while a forefinger of the same hand of the pinches the second arm220 of the lever 212 toward the first arm 216 to form the handle 202.Additionally, or alternatively, the first arm 216 of the body 210extending proximal to the second arm 220 of the lever 212 may lock thesecond arm 220 to the first arm 216 to reduce the likelihood ofinadvertently separating the handle 202 during use of the dentalflossing pick 200 during a flossing procedure. That is, in instances inwhich the at least one torsion spring 226 biases rotation of the firstarm 216 and the second arm 220 away from one another, releasablesecurement of the second arm 220 of the lever 212 in the recess 232 ofthe body 210 resists rotation of the lever 212 and the body 210 relativeto one another under the force of the at least one torsion spring 226.By way of example and not limitation, a locking mechanism for securingthe first arm 216 and the second arm 220 to one another to form thehandle 202 may include at least one of the following: a latch, a hook, akey-and-lock arrangement, a spring, a temporary adhesive mechanism, or ahook-and-loop fastener.

As a specific example, the dental flossing pick 200 may include alocking mechanism 234 carried along the body 210. The locking mechanism234 may include a linear spring 236 and a pin 238. The linear spring 236and the pin 238 may be supported, for example, along the first arm 216of the body 210, with the linear spring 236 biasing the pin 238 into therecess 232 defined by the first arm 216. Additionally, or alternatively,the second arm 220 may define at least one notch 240 releasablyengageable with the pin 238 in the recess 232. That is, as the secondarm 220 of the lever 212 is positioned in the recess 232, the linearspring 236 may bias the pin 238 into the recess 232, where the at leastone notch 240 of the second arm 220 of the lever 212 may engage the pin238 to hold the lever 212 in place in the recess 232 until the lockingmechanism 234 is actuated to release such engagement between the pin 238and the at least one notch 240.

The locking mechanism 234 may further, or instead, include a tray 242.The linear spring 236 may be positioned within the tray 242. One end ofthe linear spring 236 may push against the pin 238 and another end ofthe linear spring 236 may push against and/or be secured to a rear edge245 (or any other stopper) of the tray 242. In certain instances, thetray 1202 may be secured within the first arm 216 using a cover 244. Thecover 244 may include one or more rails 246 that may stabilize the tray242 against inadvertent movement within the first arm 216.

While the locking mechanism 234 may be unlockable by pulling one or bothof the first arm 216 or the second arm 220 away from one another, thelocking mechanism 234 may include an actuator to facilitate releasingthe first arm 216 from the second arm 220 in some instances. Forexample, the first arm 216 of the body 210 may include an actuator 248(e.g., a button or a flexible region of material). The actuator 248 maybe in mechanical communication with the pin 238 such that the actuator248 is depressible or otherwise moveable to retract the pin 238 out ofengagement with the at least one notch 240 of the second arm 220. Forexample, the actuator 248 may be in mechanical communication with thepin 238 via the tray 242, and depressing the actuator 248 may move thetray 242 — and, thus, the linear spring 236 and the pin 238—such thatthe pin 238 moves out of the recess 232 to disengage the one or morenotches of the 240 of the second arm 220. With the pin 238 disengagedfrom the at least one notch 240 of the second arm 220 of the lever 212,the first arm 216 and the second arm 220 may be rotated away from oneanother. For example, in instances in which the at least one torsionspring 226 biases the first arm 216 and the second arm 220 to rotateaway from one another, releasing the locking mechanism 234 may releaseresistance to rotational movement between the lever 212 and the body 210such that the first arm 216 and the second arm 220 move from the closedstate to the open state in which the first jaw 218 and the second jaw222 are unclamped from one another. In certain instances, releasing thelocking mechanism 234 may result in a rapid change of force on thesecond arm 220, causing the second arm 220 to move rapidly away from therecess 232 of the first arm 216 under the force of the at least onetorsion spring 226. Such rapid movement of the second arm 220 away fromthe first arm 216 may be described as the second arm 220 “popping” openfrom the recess 232.

The actuator 248 may generally be positioned along any portion of thefirst arm 216 as may facilitate reliable actuation by a user. Thus, forexample, the actuator 248 may be along a portion of the first arm 216proximal to the second arm 220 such that the lever 212 is rotatable awayfrom the actuator 248 in response to actuation (e.g., depression of abutton or a flexible section) of the actuator 248. It shall beappreciated that such positioning of the actuator may, among otherthings, reduce the likelihood that the user's interaction with theactuator 248 will interfere with release of the second arm 220 of thelever 212 away from the recess 232 of the first arm 216.

While the locking mechanism 234 has been described as having certainfeatures on the body 210 and other features on the lever 212, it shallbe appreciated that the positioning of components may be reversed unlessotherwise specified or made clear from the context.

In general, the first jaw 218 and the second jaw 222 may have any one ormore of various different shapes as may be useful for engagement withone another to clamp a length of dental floss material therebetween. Forthe sake of clear and efficient explanation, the term “jaw” andvariations thereof used herein shall be understood to refer to a half ofa clamp producing a clamping force in the closed state of the dentalflossing pick 200. Thus, in particular, the first jaw 218 shall beunderstood to include two sections (one along the first prong 206 andone along the second prong 208) that are substantially identical, withallowances for manufacturing tolerances. Similarly, the second jaw 222shall be understood to include two sections (one along the first prong206 and one along the second prong 208), again with allowances formanufacturing tolerances.

In some implementations, the first prong 206 and the second prong 208formed by the first jaw 218 and the second jaw 222 in the closed statemay be spaced a predetermined distance A apart. The predetermineddistance A may be based on a size that may be comfortably inserted intothe mouth of a user and subsequent ease of flossing by the user. Forexample, the predetermined distance A may be determined based on anaverage size of user's mouth (e.g., when the user's mouth is open). Thepredetermined distance A (as well as other size parameters of the dentalflossing pick 200) may vary to accommodate different users (e.g., sizeparameters may be smaller for children as compared to adult users). Insome instances, the predetermined distance A between the first prong 206and the second prong 208 may be adjustable to allow the user to increaseand/or reduce the predetermined distance A.

In general, with the dental flossing pick 200 in the closed state, thefirst prong 206 and the second prong 208 may be disposed at an angle awith respect to the handle 202. The angular positioning of the firstprong 206 and the second prong 208 may assist with ease of use and/orcomfortable insertion of the dental flossing pick 200 into the mouth ofthe user and flossing by the user. The angle a may be any predeterminedangle and may be similarly determined based on an average size of user'smouth. As shall be understood, the angle a may vary to accommodatedifferent users (e.g., the angle a may be smaller for child as comparedto adult users). In some implementations, the angle a may additionally,or alternatively, also be adjustable. For example, the user may wish toincrease (e.g., make the angle a more obtuse) or decrease the angle(e.g., make it closer to a right angle or an acute angle).

One or both of the first jaw 218 or the second jaw 222 may includetraction features 250 useful for gripping a length of dental flossmaterial when the first jaw 218 and the second jaw 222 are clampedtogether in the closed state. For example, the first jaw 218 and thesecond jaw 222 include respective instances of the traction features 250interlocking one another with the first jaw 218 and the second jaw 222clamped to one another in the closed state. The traction features 250may include, for example, include one or more teeth engageable with oneanother when the first jaw 218 and the second jaw 222 are in the closedstate. Additionally, or alternatively, the traction features 250 mayinclude temporary adhesives useful for holding a length of dental flossclamped between the first jaw 218 and the second jaw 222. Still furtheror instead, the traction features 250 may include one or more hookssecurable to the length of dental floss material held between the firstjaw 218 and the second jaw 222.

Having described various features of the dental flossing pick 200,attention is now directed to the case 300 in which the dental flossingpick 200 may be stored between uses and from which dental floss materialmay be dispensed in an orientation facilitating clamping by the dentalflossing pick 200.

Referring now to FIG. 1A and FIGS. 3A-3G, the case 300 may generallyinclude the base 302, the panel 304, and the dispenser 306. As describedin greater detail below, the dispenser 306 may include a wall 308supported on a first surface of the panel 304 to facilitate supportingthe dental flossing pick 200 in a stable orientation while alsopresenting dental floss in an orientation that facilitates being clampedin the fork 204 of the dental flossing pick 200. In certainimplementations, the case 300 may include the cover 310 securable to thebase 302 to envelop the dental flossing pick 200. For example, the cover310 may be hingedly coupled to the base 302 to reduce the likelihood ofmisplacement of the cover between uses. Additionally, or alternatively,the cover 310 may be securable to the base 302 via a lock 312 (e.g., oneor more magnetic sections attractable to one another to hold the cover310 and the base 302 together), as may be useful for reducing thelikelihood that the dental flossing pick 200 may become inadvertentlydislodged from the case 300 or otherwise exposed to potentiallyunsanitary conditions.

In general, the wall 308 of the dispenser 306 may extend away from thefirst surface 314 of the panel 304, and the cavity 305 defined by thebase 302 may extend in a direction opposite the direction of extensionof the wall 308 away from the first surface 314. That is, the cavity 305may be spaced away from the wall 308 and may extend below the firstsurface 314 to facilitate accommodating the angle between the fork 204and the handle 202 without deforming or otherwise damaging the dentalflossing pick 200 supported on the base 302. More specifically, with thehandle 202 of the dental flossing pick 200 supported on the wall 308 ofthe dispenser 306, the fork 204 of the dental flossing pick 200 may bedisposed in the cavity 305 defined by the base 302.

In certain implementations, the wall 308 of the dispenser 306 may definea dispensing volume 318. As described in greater detail below, a lengthof dental floss material may be stretched across the dispensing volume318, and the dental flossing pick 200 may be at least partially extendedinto the dispensing volume 318 to grasp the length of dental flossmaterial from the dispensing volume 318. Importantly, the handle 202 maybe shaped to cover the dispensing volume 318 when the handle 202 of thedental flossing pick 200 is supported on the wall 308 of the dispenser306 between uses. That is, the handle 202 of the dental flossing pick200 may act as a lid that reduces the likelihood that a length of dentalfloss material stretched across the dispensing volume 318 will becomecontaminated between uses of the dental flossing pick 200. In certaininstances, a portion of the wall 308 closest to the cavity 305 mayinclude a lip 320 having a shape conforming to a contour of a portion ofthe handle 202 of the dental flossing pick 200 supportable on the wall308 of the dispenser 306. It shall be appreciated that the lip 320conforming to the contour of the handle 202 may facilitate supportingthe handle 202 in a stable orientation over the dispensing volume 318and further, or instead, may reduce the likelihood of ingress of debrisinto the dispensing volume 318.

In certain instances, the dispenser 306 may include a cutting element322 disposed proximate to the dispensing volume 318 such that thecutting element 322 may cut a length of dental floss material extendedacross the dispensing volume 318. For example, the wall 308 of thedispenser 306 may define a slit 324, and the cutting element 322 may besupported on the wall 308 adjacent to the slit 324. In use, once adental floss a length of the dental floss material may be moved intocontact with the cutting element 322 via the slit 324 such that thedental floss material may be cut once the length of the dental flossmaterial is grasped in the fork 204 of the dental flossing pick 200. Theslit 324 may be useful for aligning the dental floss material with thecutting element 322. Further or instead, the slit 324 may provideprotection against inadvertent contact between a user and the cuttingelement 322.

The cutting element 322 may include, for example, a curved strip 325that may be coupled (e.g., glued, welded, etc.) and/or integrated withthe wall 308 of the dispenser 306. The curvature of the curved strip 325may correspond to curvature of the wall 308. The curved strip 325 mayinclude a cutting structure 326 that may be positioned adjacent to theslit 324. The cutting structure 326 may include cutting prongs 327 a,bforming a triangular opening 328. The cutting prongs 327 a,b may besharpened and serve as blades for cutting the dental floss material. Thecutting prongs 327 a,b may further, or instead, include curved ends 329useful for securing the curved strip 1302 to the wall 1301 at one of thesides of the slit 324. The curved strip 325 may include any metal,composite materials, plastic, etc. While the cutting element 322 hasbeen described as including the cutting prongs 327 a,b, it shall beappreciated that the cutting element 322 may include any one or more ofvarious different cutting mechanisms. For example, cutting element 322may include one or more blades, scissors, cutters, etc.

In certain instances, the wall 308 of the dispenser 306 may define atleast a portion of an orifice 330 through which a supply of dental flossmaterial may be moved, as described in greater detail below. Forexample, a dental floss material 323 may be stretched across thedispensing volume 318 along a linear distance from the orifice 330 andthe cutting element 322. This linear distance may be greater than adistance between the first prong 206 and the second prong 208 of the ofthe fork 204 of the dental flossing pick 200, as may be useful formanipulating the dental flossing pick 200 within the dispensing volume318 to grasp a length of dental floss material. Once the length of adental floss material 323 is clamped by the dental flossing pick 200,the user may pull the dental flossing pick 200, in the clamped state,away from the dispenser 306. Pulling of the dental floss pick 200 maycause threading of a new length of the dental floss material 323 fromthe orifice 330. The user may then use the cutting element 322 to cutthe fresh string of the dental floss material 323 clamped by the dentalflossing pick 200 to free the dental flossing pick 200 from beingattached to the dental floss material 323 to the case 300. Thisprocedure may be repeated each time the user desires to change thestring of the dental floss material 323 clamped by the dental flossingpick 200. Once the user has completed flossing, the dental flossing pick200 may be stored on the base 302 as described herein.

In general, the base 302 may define a compartment 332, and the panel 304may be releasably securable to the base 302 over the compartment 332such that removal of the panel 304 may provide selective access to thecompartment 332. For example, the panel 304 may include a button section334 along the first surface 314, such as along a portion of the firstsurface 314 between the cavity 305 and the dispenser 306. Continuingwith this example, the button section 334 may be depressible to releasethe panel 304 from the base 302 to expose the compartment 332. Thebutton section 334 may include a button with a distance of travel insome instances. Further or instead, the button section 334 may include asection of the panel 304 that may be pressed to move the panel 304downward into the compartment 332 such that another portion of the panel304 gets tilted upward way from the compartment 332. Additionally, oralternatively, the panel 304 may be releasably secured to the base 302over the compartment 332 using any one or more of a latch, a hook, aswitch, a ball, a snap-fit, and/or any other type of mechanism and/orany combination thereof.

A supply of the dental floss material 323 may be generally stored in thecompartment 332 and gradually pulled from the compartment 332 throughmultiple uses of the dental flossing pick 200. For example, the panel304 may have a second surface 336 opposite the first surface 314, andthe panel 304 may be releasably securable over the compartment 332 withthe second surface 336 facing the compartment 332. Further, or instead,the panel 304 and the wall 308 may collectively define the orifice 330such that the orifice 330 extends from the second surface of the panel304 to the dispensing volume 318. That is, with the panel 304 releasablysecured over the compartment 332 such that the second surface 336 of thepanel 304 faces the compartment 332, a supply of the dental flossmaterial 323 may be threaded from the compartment 332 to the dispensingvolume 318 via the orifice 330.

In certain implementations, the supply of the dental floss material 323may include a cartridge 400 positionable in the compartment 332 in apredetermined orientation. For example, the cartridge 400 may besecurable to the second surface 336 of the panel 304 and/or to one ormore walls of the base 302 along the compartment 332. Alternatively, oradditionally, the cartridge 400 may be supported in the compartment 332with a friction fit between the cartridge and the compartment 332. Moregenerally, the cartridge 400 may be securable in the compartment 332such that there is little or no movement of the cartridge 400 in thecompartment.

Having described various aspects of dispensing the dental floss material323 from the case 300, attention is now directed to various aspects ofthe cartridge 400 that may be used as a replaceable supply of the dentalfloss material 323 that may be dispensed from the case 300 for use withthe dental flossing pick 200.

Referring now to FIGS. 4A-4D, the cartridge 400 may include a container402, a bobbin 404 of the dental floss material 323, and a lid 406. Thecontainer 402 may include a rim 408, and the lid 406 may be disposed onthe rim 408 of the container 402 such that the container 402 and the lid406 collectively envelop the bobbin 404 of the dental floss material323. In certain implementations, the container 402 may define a hole 411away from the lid 406, and an end 410 of the bobbin 404 of the dentalfloss material 323 may extend through the hole 411. It shall beappreciated that the end 410 of the bobbin 404 may be pulled to dispenseadditional amounts of dental floss material from the cartridge 400.

The bobbin 404 may be wound in a cylindrical shape, as may be useful forretaining a physical structure to reduce the likelihood of entanglementof the dental floss material as the dental floss material is unwoundfrom the bobbin 404. Additionally, or alternatively, the cartridge 400may include a covering 412 adhered to the bobbin 404 and extendingcircumferentially about the bobbin 404. The covering 412 may to supportphysical structure of the bobbin 404 to assist during unwinding of thefloss, thus reducing the likelihood of accidental unwinding of the flossand/or the floss becoming loose, tangled, etc. In some exemplaryimplementations, the covering 412 may be made from any thin film, moldedpaper pulp, plastic cover, and/or any other desired material. Thecovering 412 may be a soft shell and/or a hard shell. Further, orinstead, the bobbin 404 may be wound as a coreless cylinder (e.g.,without any paper, plastic, wood, etc. core in the center of thebobbin), as may be useful for unwinding of the dental floss materialfrom the bobbin 404 by pulling the dental floss material from aninterior portion of the bobbin 404 rather than from an exterior portionof the bobbin 404.

Further, while the bobbin 404 has been described as being wound in acylindrical shape, it shall be appreciated that the bobbin 404 may bewound in any one or more of various different shapes, as may be usefulfor retaining a physical structure of the bobbin 404 to reduce thelikelihood of entanglement of the dental floss material as the dentalfloss material is unwound from the bobbin 404. For example, the bobbin404 may be wound having an olive shape, a cocoon shape, and/or as a flatoval spool with its winding axis as its minor dimension rather than itsmajor dimension (e.g., the bobbin 404 may be wider than it is tall).

The method steps of the implementations described herein are intended toinclude any suitable method of causing such method steps to beperformed, consistent with the patentability of the following claims,unless a different meaning is expressly provided or otherwise clear fromthe context. So, for example performing the step of X includes anysuitable method for causing another party such as a remote user, aremote processing resource (e.g., a server or cloud computer) or amachine to perform the step of X. Similarly, performing steps X, Y and Zmay include any method of directing or controlling any combination ofsuch other individuals or resources to perform steps X, Y and Z toobtain the benefit of such steps. Thus, method steps of theimplementations described herein are intended to include any suitablemethod of causing one or more other parties or entities to perform thesteps, consistent with the patentability of the following claims, unlessa different meaning is expressly provided or otherwise clear from thecontext. Such parties or entities need not be under the direction orcontrol of any other party or entity, and need not be located within aparticular jurisdiction.

It will be appreciated that the methods and systems described above areset forth by way of example and not of limitation. Numerous variations,additions, omissions, and other modifications will be apparent to one ofordinary skill in the art. In addition, the order or presentation ofmethod steps in the description and drawings above is not intended torequire this order of performing the recited steps unless a particularorder is expressly required or otherwise clear from the context. Thus,while particular embodiments have been shown and described, it will beapparent to those skilled in the art that various changes andmodifications in form and details may be made therein without departingfrom the scope of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A dental flossing pick comprising: a bodyincluding a first arm and a first jaw, the first arm including anactuator; a lever including a second arm and a second jaw, the leverrotatably coupled to the body; and a locking mechanism supported on thefirst arm, the second arm releasably engageable with the lockingmechanism, and the actuator depressible to release engagement of thelocking mechanism with the second arm of the lever and, with second armreleased from the locking mechanism, the first arm and the second armmovable relative to one another to move the first jaw away from thesecond jaw.
 2. The dental flossing pick of claim 1, wherein the firstarm defines a recess and, with the second arm releasably engaged withthe locking mechanism, the second arm is disposed in the recess.
 3. Thedental flossing pick of claim 2, wherein, with the second arm releasablyengaged with the locking mechanism and disposed in the recess, surfacesof the first arm and the second arm are flush with one another.
 4. Thedental flossing pick of claim 2, wherein, with the second arm releasablyengaged with the locking mechanism and disposed in the recess, the firstarm of the body and the second arm of the lever collectively form ahandle.
 5. The dental flossing pick of claim 1, wherein, with the secondarm releasably engaged with the locking mechanism, the first jaw and thesecond jaw are clamped to one another, collectively forming a forkincluding a first prong and a second prong defining therebetween a gapalong which a length of dental floss material is supportable in tension.6. The dental flossing pick of claim 1, further comprising at least onespring coupled to the body and to the lever wherein, with the lockingmechanism released from the second arm, the first arm and the second armmovable toward one another against a resistance force of the at leastone spring.
 7. The dental flossing pick of claim 6, wherein the at leastone spring includes a torsion spring, and the first arm and the secondarm are rotatable toward one another against resistance of the torsionspring.
 8. The dental flossing pick of claim 6, wherein, under force ofthe at least one spring coupled to the body and to the lever, the leveris biased to move away from the actuator in response to depression ofthe actuator releasing the locking mechanism.
 9. The dental flossingpick of claim 6, wherein the at least one spring is supported on thefirst jaw and the second jaw.
 10. The dental flossing pick of claim 1,wherein the body and the lever are rotatably coupled to one anotheralong a rotational axis skew to a longitudinal axis defined by the firstarm.
 11. The dental flossing pick of claim 1, wherein the actuator isalong a portion of the first arm proximal to the second arm of thelever.
 12. The dental flossing pick of claim 1, wherein the lockingmechanism includes a linear spring and a pin, the linear spring biasesthe pin into engagement with the second arm of the lever, and theactuator is depressible to release the pin from engagement with thesecond arm of the lever to release engagement of the locking mechanism.13. The dental flossing pick of claim 12, wherein, in response todepression of the actuator, the pin is movable in a proximal directionto release the pin from engagement with the second arm of the lever. 14.The dental flossing pick of claim 12, wherein, in response to depressionof the actuator, the pin is retractable into the first arm of the of thebody.
 15. The dental flossing pick of claim 12, wherein the second armof the lever defines a notch, and the linear spring biases the pin intoengagement with the notch defined by the second arm of the lever. 16.The dental flossing pick of claim 1, wherein the actuator is a flexibleregion of material along the first arm.
 17. A dental hygiene systemcomprising: a dental flossing pick including a handle and a fork coupledto one another, the fork including a first prong and a second prong, andthe fork actuatable to clamp a length of dental floss material intension in a gap defined by the first prong and the second prong; and acase including a base, a panel, and a dispenser, the panel releasablysecurable to the base, the panel having a first surface supporting thedispenser, the dispenser including a wall extending away from the firstsurface, the base defining a cavity extending in a direction oppositethe wall of the dispenser, and the dental flossing pick storable alongthe base with the fork in the cavity and the handle supported on thewall of the dispenser.
 18. The dental hygiene system of claim 17,wherein the wall of the dispenser defines a dispensing volume, and thehandle of the dental flossing pick is supportable on the wall of thedispenser to cover the dispensing volume.
 19. The dental hygiene systemof claim 18, wherein the dispenser further includes a cutting element,the wall defines a slit, and the cutting element is supported on thewall adjacent to the slit.
 20. The dental hygiene system of claim 19,wherein the base defines a compartment, and the panel is releasablysecurable to the base over the compartment.